A photo of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua seated aboard in a flight has triggered a political firestorm, after Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi posted it online with a provocative caption calling him a “troublemaker” and a “goon.”
“Kenya breathes a sigh of relief as its most notorious troublemaker and goon departs. Peace can now flourish,” Sudi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), alongside the image of the Rigathi Gachagua in casual travel attire and his trademark wide-brimmed hat.
The post, published just nine hours ago, had already gathered more than 47,000 views, sparking heated debate over whether it marked a personal attack, political mockery, or both.
Rift Within the Ruling Coalition
While neither the Gachagua nor his friends has issued a response, the tweet has only deepened tension online as netizens reacts to it with mixed feelings
Sudi is a close ally of President William Ruto and a key figure in Rift Valley politics. Gachagua, on the other hand, has recently adopted a more combative tone, particularly in his defence of Mount Kenya interests.
On social media, responses were divided.Some users praised Sudi for “saying what others fear to say,” accusing Gachagua of stoking ethnic tensions and undermining national unity. Others, however, condemned the post as disrespectful.
“Whatever issues exist, this is not how a leader should behave in public,” one user wrote.
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